In a gesture that warmed hearts and will fill bellies, linebacker Corey Paredes and defensive back Richard Torres yesterday were awarded University of Hawai'i football scholarships.

"Now they can eat," mused head coach Greg McMackin, a reference to an NCAA rule prohibiting the school from supplying training-table meals to non-scholarship players during the season.

Paredes and Torres were told of the offers during the post-practice huddle.

"This feels so good," said Paredes, his cheeks streaked with as many teardrops as raindrops.

Paredes, a Castle High graduate, and Torres, a Kahuku High alumnus, are both third-year sophomores. Both have relied on summer jobs and student loans to pay for tuition and expenses. They share an off-campus apartment that is stocked with saimin packets.

"You eat chips for dinner," Paredes said. "You eat peanut-butter sandwiches for dinner. You rarely eat breakfast. It was hard. But we still did it. We love the game of football. We'd do anything for it."

Torres said Paredes' father often would deliver pre-cooked meals that they would store in the freezer. "He'd heat it up for me and him," Torres said. "We'll eat whatever is in the apartment, mostly saimin."

Paredes has been part of the No. 1 rotation at outside linebacker. Torres is a safety and nickelback, as well as a standout on special teams.

"They're both excellent players, and they're both going to play," McMackin said. "They've been contributors to our success. We could go outside and get players, but why not take care of your own?"

Paredes said: "I went through some tough times to get here. It seems something was always happening. I'd get one thing done, and then I'd have to get another thing done. I was always taking the hardest route.

"I'm here right now, and I'm playing my heart out, and I'm so happy for the scholarship. I thank God. I thank my family for their support. And I'm thankful to coach Mack and coach Cal (Lee) and coach Mike (Smith). They really pushed for me."

Torres, the son of Kahuku coach Reggie Torres, said he was "overwhelmed" by the offer.

"My family has been helping me a lot," he said. "I've been struggling. My biggest goal was to get on the field. Now I can really focus on just playing football. I don't have to worry about financial stuff."

STEP IN, STEP UP

Freshman Michael Wadsworth aced his first college pop quiz.

"We did a punt-protection drill, and he didn't have very many repetitions in the drills," said Chris Tormey, the special teams coordinator. "Two guys in front of him (on the depth chart) were injured. He stepped in, and did it perfectly. That's what we're looking for: athletic guys who are coachable and can execute the techniques we're trying to teach."

Wadsworth said: "I'm trying to get as many reps as I can, and show the coaches what I can do."

Wadsworth is on the clock. After this season, he will go on a two-year church mission. After that, he will return to UH.

"I'm grateful for every opportunity they give me," Wadsworth said. "Playing is fun to me. I'm glad I'm out here."

Wadsworth is a blocker on punt and kickoff returns. He is the gunner on punt and kick coverages. He also is capable of blocking kicks. And he is the backup punter.

"He has excellent speed," McMackin said. "He's a good player."

McMackin and Tormey have praised Wadsworth's intense play. "I try to change my mindset when I'm on the field," Wadsworth said. "I'm more physical."

NO TACKLING DUMMIES

Tormey has created special tackling drills for punter Alex Dunnachie and kickers Scott Enos and Brian Blumberg.

"Hopefully, they won't have to (make tackles) too many times," Tormey said. "But if they're put in that situation, we'd like to give them the opportunity to make a play. They're going to be a safety in all of our coverage schemes. They need to understand leverage and tackling technique. If they can get a guy down, it becomes a 50-yard return instead of a touchdown."

Dunnachie, who is from Australia, noted the "technique is different here. I have to get used to it."

Enos said: "It's fun. I'm going to have to tackle somebody eventually."

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